But can they take the big one?

Despite a knock to the head, Jordan Roughead has been given the all clear to play in the grand final. Despite a knock to the head, Jordan Roughead has been given the all clear to play in the grand final.

BY MICHAEL ESPOSITO
WILLIAMSTOWN has been on a rival-killing spree this finals series.
First it was North Ballarat, the team the Seagulls had not been able to overcome in five games, then is was Western Suburbs rival Werribee, and this Sunday the Seagulls will try to conquer its most mighty foe, Port Melbourne, which has gone through the season unbeaten.
This is the biggest rivalry in the VFL, and the fact that these proud clubs have not squared off in a grand final since 1964 (which Port Melbourne won), has only enhanced the magnitude of the occasion.
“I think it’s a real good selling point and I’ll be disappointed if there’s not 15,000-20,000 people there, just on the back of two traditional clubs really fighting out, both of them worthy,” Williamstown coach Peter German said.
German did not believe the final being at Etihad Stadium would benefit the Seagulls, despite having several Bulldogs-listed players who have played there this year.
Perhaps the bigger advantage of playing at Etihad Stadium is that it will suit Williamstown’s leg speed and reliance on precise ball skills, but German said grand finals come down purely to the side that is the more willing.
“I reckon in grand finals you can look at many things but at the end of the day grand finals are won by side that have really come to play and use the ball well,” he said.
German will have the option of fielding an unchanged line-up – a luxury his side has not been able to have during the season.
But he has still left the door open for one or two changes. Canny Bulldogs-listed forward Patrick Veszpremi is a chance to get a guernsey, while Stephen Witkowski or Jack Frost could come in as the 23rd player. Lindsay Gilbee has been ruled out.
Port Melbourne defeated Williamstown twice this year – the first time by more than 10 goals, the second time by less than one.
There’s no question German and Port Melbourne coach Gary Ayres know just how capable their opponent is.
Port Melbourne had eight players named in the VFL team of the year, including Liston Trophy winner Shane Valenti, the league’s leading goalkicker and former Williamstown player Patrick Rose, and power forward Dean Galea. German is comfortable carrying the underdog tag.
“(Port Melbourne) are undefeated, they’ve got to be raging favourites surely, so we’re just happy to be there and be the sideshow.”

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